VIDEO: Why are you arguing? Provide an explanation so I can stop this discussion, says Pashinyan to ministers

We are talking about organizing vocational training lasting up to five months; our regulations define vocational training as something very specific. This was stated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a government meeting discussing the approval of a program to provide support for organizing vocational training and acquiring work experience for individuals forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023.

“Otherwise, forgive me, they could set up booths in the yard, say we are providing vocational training, and bring in 50,000 people. The content is very important for us. If we base it on what you said, we have guaranteed programs lasting up to 6 months. So why is it written in the decision that it’s up to 5 months?” asked Pashinyan.

Responding, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan noted that there are educational institutions that do not necessarily have to last 6 months. “Mr. Prime Minister, let me clarify: up to 6 months, which does not include 6 months. It can start from 6 months and already provide qualification; the program could be for 5 months and 20 days, for example,” added Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan.

“Yes, I understand very well why you are arguing. I’m saying, if our programs are up to 6 months, why are we writing up to 5 months? Either provide an explanation so I can stop this discussion, or say very well, we will make it 6 months, and now we will discuss it for another 3 hours; I am asking a very simple question,” Pashinyan said addressing the Ministers of Education and Labor.

“I am asking two ministers, and in the answers, I see a one-month discrepancy. You are from two different ministries in the same country, aren’t you? You’re not from different countries. I’m saying there is a one-month discrepancy. In two months, you will come with a draft decision in the package of undisclosed questions, proposing to replace the words '5 months' with '6 months,'” he said.